Yuma to Clarkdale is 282.4 miles and takes about 5h 19m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward path between two points. Most of the route utilizes surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. It's a manageable one-day drive, ideal if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
141.2 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
114.2 mi
1h 59m
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
34.2 mi
39m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi
32m
Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi
16m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.4 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 114.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Clarkdale, AZ.
1
Start on I 8 BUS
0.3 mi·22 sec·North 4th Avenue
2
Continue on I 8 BUS
0.1 mi·16 sec·Winterhaven Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
4
Merge onto I 8
0.2 mi·12 sec·Kumeyaay Highway
5
Continue on I 8
114 mi·1 hr 59 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
7
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi·6 min·East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
8
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
9
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi·44 sec·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·32 min·Arizona State Highway 85
11
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
12
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·10 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.7 mi·2 min
Exit 124AToward AZ 303 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
34 mi·39 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
19
Merge onto I 17
16 mi·16 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
24
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
31
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
32
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
34
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
35
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
36
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
37
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
38
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
39
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
40
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
41
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·12 sec·South Main Street
42
Continue on AZ 89A
2.0 mi·3 min·South Main Street
43
Enter roundabout onto US 89A Historic
100 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
44
Continue on US 89A Historic
1.5 mi·2 min·North Main Street
45
Continue on US 89A Historic
1.6 mi·2 min·South Broadway
46
Continue on US 89A Historic
0.3 mi·26 sec·Main Street
47
Arrive at destination
US 89A Historic
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 19m estimated drive time, leaving Yuma in the morning will allow you to reach Clarkdale with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one designated stop, so plan your own breaks accordingly, especially since much of the drive is on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $55 estimated cost suggests you'll need to refuel at least once, possibly before the longest stretch on the Blue Star Memorial Highway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; consider a mid-morning departure to enjoy a more leisurely start.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.2 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 62 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.2 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yuma, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yuma, AZ
This is one driving day of about 282.4 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Yuma, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 114.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.1 and 199.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
115.1 mi into trip|~2h in|I 8 Business
Take the exit onto I 8 Business toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
5
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Turn left onto AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
152.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
7
163.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
199.5 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.88 one way
$113.76 round trip
$5.12/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.43
$60.34
$120.68
premium
$5.67
$63.08
$126.17
diesel
$6.18
$68.70
$137.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.7
1
$29.65
$13.56
Efficient EV
70.6
0
$24.71
$11.30
EV Truck/SUV
113
1
$39.54
$18.07
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon
in Yuma on Tuesday
Local time
1:59 PM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clarkdale, AZ
Afternoon
in Clarkdale on Tuesday
Local time
1:59 PM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10
near mile 282.4
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$10
near mile 262.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 28% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on the Blue Star Memorial Highway covering 114.2 miles. Beyond this, you'll transition to mostly surface roads. Expect a consistent, rural cruising feel for much of the trip, punctuated by segments on the Blue Star Memorial Highway and Arizona Veterans Highway. The highway portions will offer a quicker pace, while the surface roads will require more attention to speed limits and local traffic.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.2 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.1 miles in near I 8 Business.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 282.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,707 ft141 ft
Total Climb
3,961 ft
Total Descent
533 ft
Highest Point
3,707 ft
~242 mi in
Elevation Range
3,566 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yuma, AZ and Clarkdale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo, Gilda Bend, Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A and Cottonwood - among others.
Yuma is the largest city and county seat of Yuma County, Arizona. It is in the southwest corner of the state, across the Colorado River from California and near two Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora.
Top landmarks
•Brown House — historic house in Yuma, Arizona, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 282.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clarkdale, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarkdale, AZ before the return drive.
